OUT-OF-WORK DONATION (COAST WATCHERS).

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state whether the out-of-work donation grant will be paid to the coast watchers in Ireland who have been thrown out of employment since the cessation of hostilities?

I understand that of 413 civilian coast watchers employed at the date of the Armistice, some 200 have been discharged. I am, however, informed that the majority of these men were formerly employed in agriculture and fishing; and, as I am not aware that there is any substantial amount of unemployment in either of those industries in Ireland, I am not satisfied, on the information before me, that there is a case for extending the out-of-work donation scheme to include the men in question.